If you're new here, this blog will give you the tools to become financially independent in 5 years on a median salary. The wiki page gives a good summary of the principles of the strategy. The key to success is to run your personal finances much like a business, thinking about assets and inventory and focusing on efficiency and value for money. Not just any business but a business that's flexible, agile, and adaptable. Conversely most consumers run their personal finances like an inflexible money-losing anti-business always in danger of losing their jobs.
Here's almost a thousand online journals from people, who are following the ERE strategy tailored to their particular situation (age, children, location, education, goals, ...). Increasing their savings from the usual 5-15% of their income to tens of thousands of dollars each year or typically 40-80% of their income, many accumulate six-figure net-worths within a few years.
Since everybody's situation is different (age, education, location, children, goals, ...) I suggest only spending a brief moment on this blog, which can be thought of as my personal journal, before looking for the crowd's wisdom for your particular situation in the forum journals.
If you enjoy the blog, also consider the book which is much better organized and more complete. You can read the first chapter for free, listen to the preamble, or see the reviews (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,Z). Subscribe to the blog via email or RSS. Get updates on the facebook page, join the forums, and look for tactics on the ERE wiki. Here's a list of all the ERE blog posts.
I fixed the sat system by rewiring the receiver to the TV that was already installed. I am not sure I can reuse the “video center” that was already installed (I’m reminded that this coach is fairly old), so I bypassed that and hotwired the receiver to the TV. Now we can get rid of the bigger TV. It’s sitting on the passenger seat. DW commented that she didn’t know I was such a handyman. DW got a replacement fan for the bathroom vent. I’ll install it tomorrow. Oh, did I tell you that the vent was fixed, not with duct tape, but with electric tape. The dinette is now clear and the floor is clear. It’s going to rain on Friday which means that there is a deadline for removing the crap outside.
Tomorrow we can get rid of a lot of the cardboard since the recycling bins just got emptied. Also I emptied the gray water tank this morning without causing an incident. I feel I’m learning more and more. This might actually work. Still to do: LPG pressure gauge, pilot lights on the stove/oven, the water heater (might be winterized), the furnace in the back and the mysteriously magical fridge. Also the awning. We’re currently on cold water and we cook with a microwave and the slow cooker. It’s doable but restrictive.
